Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL QUESTIONS

GENERAL QUESTIONS

What is GovPayNet?

GovPayNet processes credit, debit, and pre-paid debit card transactions for government agencies that want to make this option available to their customers.

What kind of payments can I make through GovPayNet?

GovPayNet can process any payment an agency has contracted with GovPayNet to accept on its behalf. These include payments to law enforcement agencies, courts, corrections facilities, departments of revenue, and treasurers, such as cash bail; deposits to inmate trust, telephone and commissary accounts; probation obligations; restitution payments; electronic monitoring fees; payment of traffic and criminal fines; court fees; towing and impound fees; records fees; child support; property taxes; assessment payments; business taxes; and license and permit fees, among others.

Can I pay any agency through GovPayNet?

GovPayNet serves agencies that contract to use our connecxyourgov.services. We provide signs and other promotional materials to our contracted agencies and encourage agencies to place our information and a link to GovPayNet on their web sites to help the agency you want to pay let you know if it is under contract with GovPayNet.

What cards does GovPayNet accept?

GovPayNet processes payments made using cards that have the Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover card brands.

Does GovPayNet accept EBT (Food Stamp, TANF, etc.) cards?

GovPayNet only processes payments made using cards that have the Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover card brands.

Is GovPayNet part of the government?

GovPayNet is a private company that serves government agencies and their constituents by processing payments made by credit, debit and pre-paid debit cards.

Is GovPayNet the only way I can make my payment?

Using GovPayNet is usually just one payment option an agency may provide. The agency you want to pay can describe other payment options available to you.

How will a payment through GovPayNet appear on my card statement?

The name of the agency you paid through GovPayNet will appear along with the letters "GPS" which is an abbreviation for our corporate name, "Government Payment Service, Inc."

Do I have to open an account with GovPayNet to make payments?

GovPayNet is a payment processing company that helps cardholders pay government agencies. There is no need for you to have an account with us.

Can GovPayNet tell me how much I owe on my payment?

GovPayNet will pay whatever amount you request to be paid. We are not able to validate whether the payment is correct.

Can you answer questions about how what I owe to the agency was calculated?

Please direct questions about the amount you owe to the agency you want to pay.

What if I disagree with the amount an agency wants me to pay?

Please direct questions about the amount you owe to the agency you want to pay.

Is GovPayNet a collection agency?

GovPayNet is a payment processing company, not a collection agency.

Is there a cost to me for using GovPayNet?

Yes. All service fees are disclosed to you in advance.

What if I don't want to pay the fee?

You may cancel your payment before you make it without paying a fee.

How do I make a payment through GovPayNet?

GovPayNet has three ways to make a payment: Through our web site, by phone, or at the agency. The agency chooses which options it wants to make available to paying parties. GovPayNet encourages agencies to make all three options available.

How do I locate GovPayNet on the Internet?

How do I call GovPayNet?

GovPayNet’s toll-free number is 1-888-604-7888. This number is for making all payments to agencies other than posting bail, to get help in using the GovPayNet payment web site, and for any questions you have about the payment you made through GovPayNet. If you are posting bail, you should call 1-877-EZBail5 (1-877-392-2455) and you will be put through to a specialist.

Does GovPayNet have bilingual customer service?

Yes. GovPayNet has Spanish-speaking staff in our call center.

Does GovPayNet handle calls in languages other than English and Spanish?

Yes. GovPayNet has access to telephone translators in over 170 different languages.

When can I call GovPayNet?

Any time, day or night. The GovPayNet call center is available to serve you 24/7/365.

Can I make a payment through GovPayNet when I visit the agency I am paying?

If our agency contract makes this service available, you may make a payment to the agency through GovPayNet with the help of agency administrative or law enforcement personnel. They will assist you in using an agency computer to access the GovPayNet web site. Agency staff may ask you for your card information and enter it into www.govpaynow.com for you, or you may be directed to use a Gov$wipe® card reader.

What is Gov$wipe?

Gov$wipe is a patent-pending method that automatically completes the payment form on the GovPayNet web site by filling in your card information after you swipe your card through the Gov$wipe card reader.

Can I send GovPayNet a check or money order to pay an agency?

GovPayNet can only process payments made by credit, debit or pre-paid debit card.

Can I transfer money to GovPayNet from my bank account?

GovPayNet can only process payments made by credit, debit or pre-paid debit card. We do not offer E-Check or electronic banking at this time.

Is an agency obligated to accept a payment I make through GovPayNet?

Agencies set their own policies on full or part payments. If the agency does not accept your payment, GovPayNet returns funds to your card account between 3 to 5 days after the agency has rejected the payment. The GovPayNet service fee, however, is not refunded if an agency rejects your payment.

Why would an agency reject my payment?

It is best to contact an agency representative to discuss this because it is determined by agency policy.

What information does GovPayNet need to process my payment?

For all payments, GovPayNet needs your name, card number, CVV number, and Pay Location Code (please continue reading to learn about "CVV number" and "Pay Location Code"). Other information depends upon the agency and the type of payment. For a property tax payment, we will need the number that identifies the parcel. For a deposit to an inmate account, we will need information to identify the inmate. Some payments also require addresses as an additional measure against card fraud. You will be prompted for this information by agency staff, the GovPayNet payment web site, or a GovPayNet customer service representative, depending on how you are making your payment.

What is a "Pay Location Code"?

The Pay Location Code, sometimes referred to as a "PLC," is a 4-6 alphanumeric character (not case sensitive) assigned to an agency for a specific payment type. The agency you are paying has this code and will give it to you. GovPayNet is in the process of adding features to our web site to make it easier for you to find the PLC you need.

What is a "CVV number"?

"CVV" stands for Card Verification Value. The CVV is a three-digit number on the reverse side of cards issued by MasterCard, Visa and Discover and a four-digit number on the front of American Express cards that GovPayNet requires to be entered as an additional security measure (other terms are used in the card industry for this number but all are fairly similar).

How does GovPayNet process a payment?

When you have provided all the information GovPayNet needs to make your payment, our system contacts your card issuer via secure Internet connection for payment authorization. If the payment is authorized, you will be informed of this by agency staff, the GovPayNet payment web site, or a GovPayNet customer service representative, depending on how you are making your payment. GovPayNet immediately notifies the agency that your payment has been approved, then transfers funds electronically from the account you have accessed through your card to the agency’s bank.

What if my card issuer denies my payment?

You will have the opportunity to make the payment using another card. Unless a card issuer authorizes a payment through the GovPayNet system, GovPayNet will not be able to make the payment you have requested. You should contact your card issuer if you have any further questions.

Can I make a partial payment?

This depends on the agency. GovPayNet will attempt to process any amount you request. Some agencies will not accept partial payments. . Please contact the agency to determine its policy on partial payments.

Can I set up a payment plan or apply for payment assistance through GovPayNet?

You would need to contact the agency/facility to learn about any payment plan or payment assistance that may be available to you.

Can I use more than one card to make a payment?

This depends on agency policy. Some agencies allow GovPayNet to process payments using multiple cards. Other agencies, primarily criminal justice agencies, require us to accept only one card per transaction.

Can I make a payment for someone else?

Yes. As long as you provide all the information GovPayNet requires in order to process the payment.

How can I cancel a payment?

A payment cannot be canceled once GovPayNet has processed it. If you believe you made a payment in error, please contact the agency to resolve the issue.

What if I paid the wrong amount?

A payment cannot be canceled once GovPayNet has processed it. If you believe you made a payment in error, you must contact the agency. If you made an overpayment, the agency will contact GovPayNet to issue you a refund of the amount you overpaid. If you made an underpayment, depending on the agency, it may reject your payment. In that case GovPayNet will credit your funds to your account in 3 to 5 days. If the agency accepts a partial payment, you may still owe funds to the agency. For this reason, it is best that you contact the agency if you believe you paid the wrong amount. The service fee, however, is not refunded if you paid the wrong amount.

When I pay through GovPayNet, do I get a receipt?

If you are paying with the assistance of agency staff, you may request a printout of the GovPayNet payment confirmation. If you are paying through GovPayNet by phone, we will email you a confirmation if you provide your email address. If you are paying through www.govpaynow.com, you may print this confirmation yourself.

What if I have questions about my payment?

If you have a question about the payment itself (when it was made, in what amount, to what agency ) you may contact GovPayNet by email at servicerequests@govpaynet.com or toll-free telephone at 1-888-604-7888. Please provide all the information you can about your payment because this will help us answer your question.

All payments through GovPayNet are assigned a reference number which is provided to the cardholder. The reference number is the fastest way for us to access information about a payment.

What if I believe someone used my card without my permission to make a payment through GovPayNet?

You should contact the company that issued your card immediately and report your concern.

If my card was used without my permission, will my payment be refunded?

Card issuers have strong protections for consumers against losses from unauthorized card use. You will need to initiate a claim with your card issuer.

How do I know my card information is secure?

GovPayNet is independently certified as complying with the highest level of card security available. You can confirm this by clicking on the Trustwave® logo at the lower right-hand corner of our corporate web site, www.govpaynet.com or our payment web site, www.govpaynow.com.

How do I post bail through GovPayNet?

Is GovPayNet a bail bondsman?

No. GovPayNet is not a bail bondsman. GovPayNet allows you to post your own cash for bail, which you access using your own credit, debit or pre-paid debit card.

Do I get my cash bail deposit back from GovPayNet?

No. Court systems have different rules for the return of a cash bail deposit. For further information, contact the local court or law enforcement agency to which you made your cash bail payment, or consult an attorney.

Can I still post bail through GovPayNet if the defendant has outstanding tickets, delinquent child support, etc.?

GovPayNet will attempt to process any payments you submit, but whether it is accepted depends on local laws and court rules. For further information, contact the local court or law enforcement agency to which you want to make your cash bail payment, or consult an attorney.

How long after my cash bail payment is authorized will it be posted?

GovPayNet informs the court or law enforcement agency immediately when your cash bail payment is authorized by the card issuer. Many agencies choose to release a defendant based on this confirmation. GovPayNet immediately notifies the agency that your payment has been approved, then transfers funds electronically from the account you have accessed through your card to the agency’s bank within two business days. Some agencies require GovPayNet to send a check to complete your payment.

Do you let other agencies know that I have paid my fines or fees (Department of Motor Vehicles, etc.)?

GovPayNet does not communicate your payments or status with one agency to any other agencies. We will provide you with a confirmation of payment by screen print or email.

Will GovPayNet let me know if my payment clears my case or if I have any other fines or fees due?

GovPayNet only processes payments in amounts that you request. Contact the court or law enforcement agency or consult an attorney to confirm your status.

If I am making a payment to an inmate, when will the inmate be able to access the funds?

Every facility has its own policies. Please contact the facility for this information.